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Rendell not for little guy

5 min read

Everyone knows that Gov. Rendell is cutting back on state medical aid to the poor. Too expensive, can’t afford it he claims. But then on June 30, the Herald-Standard’s front page proclaims, “Rendell, lawmakers consider tax cuts.” What, Pennsylvania can’t afford to help the poor by at least keeping the taxes the same?

I thought Democrats were the party of the little guy, the poor, but now I guess not.

However, they are the party of the governor, the guy who charges the state for his habit of gorging on multiple dinners.

But then the following day, the front page of the Herald-Standard proclaims, “Rendell considers legislative pay raises.” Is this guy for real? Is the party for real?

Want to bet that this fat cat gets re-elected? Milton Shapp was the worst Democrat governor ever, and the party re-elected him. What a bleak future.

Joseph Brant

Uniontown

Pay raise prompts ‘candidacy’

Well, I’ve decided to run for state office.

I figure that the forthcoming pay increase will be enough that I can afford to give up my full-time job and work part time and have holidays off and with the better healthcare and retirement package, I’ll be able to live, barely perhaps.

I may have to cut back a little here and there.

You may ask how I know there will be a raise?

I’ve watched this scenario before and have taken polls of politicians, the results of which are as follows.

The question: “Are you in favor of a pay increase for legislators (also judges and associated hierarchy)?” Answer: “No, I am not in favor of any increase in salary with the current fiscal problems facing us.” These include the cutbacks in medical care for the elderly, and the lack of funding for education and healthcare for the young, not to mention we need a tax break for homeowners.

Of those polled, 100 percent responded with the aforementioned answer, yet amazingly enough an increase was somehow voted in.

Talk about fuzzy math! I guess you can’t trust polls; I know our politicians would never lie to us.

The problem is that $50 million isn’t enough to solve all of our problems and if we can’t solve all of them, why solve any? The best solution for disbursing the excess is to split it amongst ourselves. This seems to be the philosophy in Harrisburg.

Just remember when it is time to vote, vote for me. I need more money if I’m only going to work part-time.

John Catlett

Smithfield

Worker explains DPW staffing

Due to the heavy workflow and the decrease in staffing, workers have been placed under horrendous stress, but have still maintained their goal in providing excellent service to our customers.

Prior to July 1, 2003, our office alone had approximately 15 employees retire and many more statewide.

During the course of the remaining months of 2003, the state Department of Public Welfare did replace the employees that retired.

But due the strenuous “Standardized Training” the new hires had to endure, their impact on the heavy workflow would take at least 12 months.

Because of the extensive workload of the Assistance Offices, Christine Bowser, DPW Director of Operations, issued a statement to all executive directors regarding the workload impacts on CAO staff.

Bowser explained that due to the reduction in staff and the increased workload, management should take this into consideration when completing the performance evaluations.

Since then, DPW has reduced the compliment in the CAO’s. This means there is no chance at the present time that staffing will be increased. Therefore, increased workload continues, but our staff continues to promote and perform excellent customer service.

One example is the LlHEAP program. I must say that I’m very proud of both the staff in making the previous heating seasons such a success.

Our office received word from Harrisburg regarding the successful heating season.

With the increase of doing more with less, management continues to add to the stress by increasing material control over work issues.

We have always asked management for a priority list of what to first.

Their and has always been, everything is a priority. Repressive management style has led to a dramatic decrease in morale.

The office now is to a point where there is no morale to be found.

This was brought to management’s attention and their response was staff caused the morale problem not management.

With the continued stress in our office, staff is afraid to even talk in fear they will be disciplined.

This is no way for such a wonderful staff to be treated.

The only thing we are asking is to have management become a leader and insure the staff that they understand the extreme stress we are experiencing and will do what’s within their authority to eliminate some of the stress.

We can better serve the residents of Fayette County if management and employees work together as a team instead of taking an adversarial position.

Keith A. Saunders, SEIU 668

Uniontown

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